Around 300 witnesses expected to testify in Kocani tragedy trial

34 individuals and 3 legal entities are so far involved in the two investigations of the Prosecutor's Office regarding the tragedy at the Koçan discotheque, where 59 people lost their lives and around 200 others were injured. The prosecution informs that the investigation by 11 prosecutors continues. Around 300 witnesses are expected to be questioned, while the collection of evidence in Koçan has continued, while the provision of expertise from various fields continues.

"Public Prosecutor Ljubco Kocevski requested an efficient and complete investigation from the appointed prosecutors, which will examine in detail every aspect and direction of responsibility for the tragedy in Kocani," the Basic Public Prosecution Office announced.

However, it is not yet known how deep and wide the investigation may go and extend.

All suspects are charged with having, in the period from 2012 until the fateful morning of March 16, collectively but each in their own terms, powers and responsibilities, not acted in accordance with the protection provisions and thereby caused a large-scale danger to the environment, human life and property.

The time period 2012-2025 includes the time when the "Pulse" discotheque was operating, and for this, the three mayors of the Municipality of Koçan who served during this period have been held accountable. According to the Prosecutor's Office, they allowed the club to operate even though it did not meet the conditions.

However, for now, the Prosecution, for reasons still unknown, has not taken into account the time circumstances of other suspects, at other levels of power. The culprits, for now, are only sought among those who were in office in 2021 and 2023, when the now burned-out club, despite not having met the conditions, received a license to operate.

For example, from 2012 to 2025, the function of Minister of Economy was exercised by Valon Saraçini, Bekim Neziri, Driton Kuçi, Kreshnik Bekteshi and most recently, Besar Durmishi. Only Bekteshi is involved in the investigation, as during his time two cabaret licenses were granted, which according to the Prosecution were obtained with bribes. And for this, the then state secretary, along with three other employees, are also suspected of being involved.

Bekim Maksuti served as director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue in the period 2020 - 2024, or precisely in the period when "Pulse" received its licenses. For this, he has been held accountable. However, it is not known whether the investigation will be extended to the previous directors, Shaban Saliu and Adnan Xhaferovski, who have served since 2012 when the cabaret operated without a license, nor whether Xhevat Selami will be held accountable as director, during whose time the tragedy occurred.

During the period when "Pulse" worked, there were a total of 9 directors of the Market Inspectorate, but for now only Goran Trajkovski and 3 inspectors have been held accountable for not carrying out inspection checks in the period from 2020 to 2025.

For granting the discotheque a license, the Prosecution is seeking accountability from 7 senior police officers from Stip and Kocani. However, it is not known whether other police superiors who have served over the years will also be held accountable. The prosecution, for now, does not see any responsibility, neither in the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Pance Toshkovski, nor in the six previous ministers who held office during the period of operation of "Pulse".

The media also raised the issue of potential liability for officials of the Directorate of Public Revenue. The suspicions are that the DAP closed the cabaret at the end of 2024 after finding that fiscal invoices had not been issued, however, the cabaret continued to operate without paying the fine. However, the Prosecutor's Office has not yet established liability. /Alsat/